Dr Len Turczynowicz

Public health toxicologists in Adelaide, South Australia, have developed illicit drug detection kits that will analyse samples within 48 hours through their startup Swab First.

The first kits will test for seven drugs: cocaine, heroin, cannabis, nicotine, amphetamine, methamphetamine (ice and speed) and MDMA (ecstasy). However, Swab First director Dr Len Turczynowicz said the technology was capable of testing for 47 substances.

Dr Turczynowicz said the innovative dry swab sampling device had been developed and patented by Swab First while the instrumentation was similar to what was used at airports to test samples for explosive residue testing.

He said industry professionals such as real estate agents would be trained as authorised collectors to ensure samples were collected correctly from household surfaces as part of routine inspections.

“It’s not an offer that’s around anywhere else, it’s a new approach,” Dr Turczynowicz said.

“We thought carefully about what the issues and problems are in this space and we realised there was a significant deficiency in rapid methods of evaluation.

“It’s simple, cost-effective, robust and highly sensitive in its ability to detect things.”

Results are provided in a written report and on a mobile app, along with remedies to remove any contamination found, within 48 hours of sample receipt at the Swab First laboratory.

Pricing varies from about $220 for testing prior to the commencement and again at the end of a tenancy through to an annual $330 fee for quarterly screening.

Dr Turczynowicz said he expected there to be a broad client base ranging from real estate agents, property managers, conveyancers and property inspectors through to defence housing and university accommodation providers.

He said the product would initially be sold in South Australia with a national and global launch to follow with a focus on the United States and China.

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